9 Best And 8 Worst Single Cup Coffee Makers, According To Customer Reviews

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Coffee first came to the United States in the 1600s, thanks to European settlers, but it took another 200 years or so for it to become a much-loved national drink. Technology has also helped bring coffee to the masses, from the percolator in 1865 to the launch of Nespresso pods in 1994.

Today, for those who use them, coffee makers come in all shapes and sizes, serving up multiple cupfuls day in, day out. But for anyone who likes to experiment without endless measuring and grinding, single-cup coffee machines have been a boon. They enable users to switch varieties – for the moment at least — with minimal fuss and without taking up too much space.

The variety of machines available to buy is staggering, so it's easy to be overwhelmed. What's more important: Style, build quality or the taste of the coffee in your cup? Based on reviews taken from verified Amazon purchases, here are some of the best and some of the worst single cup coffee makers.

It may be less than 5 inches wide and relatively fuss-free but the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup pod coffee maker ticks an awful lot of boxes. It will make one 6 to 12-ounce cup at a time and automatically turns off after 90 seconds, so you don't waste any energy. The handy cord storage makes it ideal to tuck away in small kitchen nooks or crannies and perfect for traveling. Plus, there are five colors to choose from.

Retailing at around $99, more than 101,600 of Keurig's machines have been sold to date, and 83% of customers left 4 and 5-star reviews, clearly delighted by this tiny but mighty single-cup coffee maker. Several praised how quickly it heats up, the minimal noise, and ease of cleaning, while one customer who had bought a pink model said: "Perfect size for one. The cutest, happy color. Very efficient!" If you want pod storage, too, the Keurig K-Mini Plus has it and costs around $110.

With its sleek, black lines and silver trim, BLACK+DECKER's CM618 Single Serve coffee maker may give off a solid Kylo Ren vibe but, according to customer reviews, the Force is not strong with this one. Sure, it's compact at just over 6 inches wide and around 9.5 inches high, and will happily take both coffee grounds and pods.

It's even racked up more than 1,4980 ratings, including over 2,300 5-star reviews. However, like Senator Palpatine, all is not quite as hunky dory it seems. Dig into the lower-ranked verified reviews and the picture is a lot less rosy. Among the 4-star comments, issues around the reusable plastic filter cropped up, including it giving the coffee an odd taste.

Cheap build quality, weak coffee, and splattering were highlighted by shoppers giving BLACK+DECKER's coffee maker three stars, while among the 1-star reviews, problems included leaks and machines burning out — or not even working to begin with.

Nespresso claims this single-cup coffee maker, which looks as if it has stepped straight out of the 1930s, was inspired by urban architecture. Whatever the source, customers have fallen in love with the CitiZ Original Espresso Machine by De'Longhi.

Perhaps it's the welcome kit that has capsules with "unique aroma profiles," or the fact you can brew a perfectly balanced cup of espresso or lungo in just a few moments? Either way, the CitiZ single cup coffee maker has accrued 3,088 global ratings, of which an impressive 83% were 5-starred.

While the "Customers say" section hinted that some buyers felt the $279 price tag was a bit steep, most shoppers were nonetheless enthusiastic in their praise. "Push button to turn on, insert pod, pick single or double, shoots out espresso instantly," one commenter wrote. "It does a great job, looks good, and doesn't take up much space on the kitchen counter," said another satisfied customer.

If more than 13,100 people have rated a particular product, you could be forgiven for assuming it was a solid purchase. However, the 36% of shoppers who rated Cuisinart's $140 Coffee Maker below 5 stars tell a different story. It should have all the right moves for a successful product: It can make 12 5-ounce cups, is fully programmable, has automatic shut off, and self cleans. But there are several niggles, as the 4-star reviews make clear.

One customer pointed out several design flaws, including not being able to use it with travel mugs, a filter stick that comes loose, the four-hour heater, and a too-quiet beep when it's finished brewing. Down among the 1-star rated reviews, several customers had problems with the product cleaning light not turning off, while others mentioned sticking buttons, drips, and leaks. One unhappy buyer who replaced their much-loved, previous Cusinart coffee maker had three successive machines that refused to work after a single cycle.

Standing over 10 inches high, the Mixpresso 2 in 1 Coffee Brewer, Single Serve & Personal Coffee Maker might not be the most compact machine out there, but 74% of buyers have snapped it up for the bargain price of $37.99. This stylish, dark red machine has a 1,000-watt motor, a one-touch brewing system, and automatic shut off. It's great for home, office, and travel use. Although some questions were asked about its small water reservoir, overall the comments were positive.

One customer who left a 5-star review said, "I'll buy again if it ever wears out but it's used daily and works perfectly." Others posted about how easy it was to clean, its portability, especially in RVs, and the fact it made exactly the right amount of coffee. Mixpresso's 2 in 1 coffee brewer and maker also generated hundreds of four-star reviews, including one that praised "the convenience of the reusable cups for the coffee dispenser."

To anyone scrolling web pages seeking a single-cup coffee maker, this sleek machine from Instant appears to have plenty going for it. You can fill a 8, 10, or 12-ounce cup with piping hot joe in 90 seconds with the 40-ounce removable reservoir, and use the BOLD button for pour-over iced coffee. However, the "Customers say" section highlights several issues that cast doubt on the 63% of buyers who gave the Instant Pot Single Serve Coffee Maker 5 stars.

Splattering was definitely an issue for customers who gave the roughly $64 coffee maker 4 stars, while among the one-star reviews were several complaints that the Instant Pot machine broke down within a few months of purchase.  Alarmingly, two customers noted they had to "jump through hoops" with the company to sort their machines out. Another shopper, who bought theirs as a back-up, wrote, "Horrible product, don't waste your money. Not even worth one star."

More than 18,800 people have splashed out on Ninja's $169.99 Specialty Coffee Maker and it appears to have been a smart move. Although it's a single cup machine, it has a 40-ounce removable reservoir, and will happily fill everything from a small cup to a full carafe with one of four delicious coffee brew styles. On top of all that, it comes with a built-in frother. Although questions were raised among some buyers about the Ninja's build quality and durability, it still racked up an impressive 89% of 4 and 5-star ratings.

After replacing a machine that had lasted 10 years, one customer wrote: "Do yourself a favor and buy this machine if you want perfectly brewed, smooth coffee." Another buyer quipped: "Best thing I've ever bought the wife," while a third shopper praised the fact they didn't need pods to make their coffee. "I love this coffee maker in every way possible," they said.

The CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker is an excellent example of how numbers can only tell half the story when it comes to buying a product online. More than 47,980 people have rated it, and 64% gave it 5 stars, but the "Customers say" section provides a bigger picture. Buyers had issues with the machine's brewing capacity and speed, as well as its durability and the temperature of the coffee it produced.

Four-star reviewers stood by their $49.99 CHULUX single serve coffee maker, but problems included clogging and stalling. Clogging, leaking, and slow brew speed cropped up among the 3-star reviews, while the 1-star reviews featured several unhappy customers who tried to get water to come out of their coffee machine but with no success. One person wrote, "It was very cute but it only lasted six months."

Looking like something out of a sci-fi movie, the sleek Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville promises to deliver "the perfect cup of coffee every time." It's a little chunkier than some other products, at 8 inches wide and almost 13 inches high. That hasn't put off more than 4,700 customers from handing over almost $180, and 90% of them rating it 4 or 5 stars.

The relatively small, 0.6-liter water reservoir was an issue for some 4-star buyers who still praised the coffee it made, and its small size. Among the 5-star ratings, one happy customer said, "this extremely compact little machine is indeed the perfect solution" for their RV, while others appreciated how easy the Nespresso coffee maker was to use and keep clean. One buyer summed up their coffee by saying, "Makes great espresso. Foamy and full of aroma."

There's a big "uh-oh" waiting for anyone who lands on the page for the Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker, thanks to the not-so-subtle orange "Frequently returned item" label. Despite many plus points, including the stainless steel fabrication, range of mug sizes it accommodates (8 to 14 ounces), and the affordable $49.95 price, the 4-star reviews suggest that all is not well with this machine.

Finding replacement parts, splatter, and coffee temperature were all raised by customers. Among the 3-star ratings, the amount of plastic used in the Hamilton Beach machine was raised by two buyers, while others complained about the poor flavor of the coffee made.

Those who gave the single cup coffee maker the lowest rating also grumbled about the presence of cheap, plastic components, as well as brew speed, coffee temperature, and leaks. One shopper who didn't appreciate how hard it was to clean said, "I wouldn't take one if I got [it] for free."

With its hefty 75-ounce water chamber, 1,500-watt motor, and hot water and strong brew buttons, there's a lot to like about Keurig's $150 K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker. More than 65,660 buyers have picked it up, attracted by its ability to fill cups from 8 to 12 ounces, and the streamlined, contemporary design, with color choices of brushed slate, silver or gold.

"Customers usually keep this item," Amazon informs everyone in a handy green label, and despite issues with durability, 92% of ratings come in at 4 or 5 stars. Many buyers raved about how easy the Keurig K-Elite was to use, the size of cups it can fill, and personalizing their coffee's strength, though this hack will help reduce any acidity. The large water tank was described as a "game changer" by one happy shopper, who also praised the instant hot water. For them, the machine was: "Worth every penny if you take your brews seriously."

German brand KRUPS has been in business since 1846, but if customer reviews for the 2 Cup Coffee Maker are anything to go by, the company's reputation for excellence has taken a hit. It looks stylish thanks to a brushed steel finish, and comes with a double-walled, 14-ounce tumbler. Plus, you can fill it either with fresh coffee from your newly cleaned grinder, or tea.

Although buyers liked its size, ease of use, and the coffee quality, 40% of the more-than 22,700 ratings were 1 to 4 stars. Buyers who gave it 4 stars didn't appreciate the lid not staying open, or the plastic interior, while complaints among the 3-star reviews for KRUPS' $58 coffee maker covered difficulties filling the water reservoir, poor-quality filter mesh, and the lack of automatic shut off.

Exploring the 1-star ratings, problems with the lid were widespread, as well as coffee temperature and issues with the electronics. One exasperated shopper wrote, "I would never purchase this product again."

Although it's only 9 inches wide and 12 inches high, the Cuisinart Drip Coffee Maker manages to house a 72-ounce water reservoir, filling cups sized from 4 to 12 ounces. It's K-Cup compatible and has a reusable filter cup. It comes in a range of colors and finishes, all priced at $189.99, apart from the stainless steel with black trim, which costs $10 less.

More than 18,670 have been rated, and 80% of purchases received 4 or 5 stars. Customers leaving 5-star reviews were unstinting in their praise for this drip coffee machine. "Easy to clean, long lasting appliance. Highly recommend!" wrote one happy buyer, while another liked the ability to switch between pods and ground coffee.

Some revealed that they had bought Cuisinart's machine to replace a rival brand and were pleased with their choice. Even when one broke down, the buyer reported they were happy with the prompt customer service they received.

This brand underwent a complete overhaul in 2024 but the BELLA One Scoop One Cup Coffee Maker is still available to buy online. The question is: Why would you want to? Sure it costs less than $20, and at less than 5 inches wide and 10 inches high, it's great for even the tiniest kitchen. But it doesn't have the same stylish appeal as its revamped, lower-case bella version.

Worryingly, 66% of ratings for the BELLA coffee maker are between 1 and 4 stars, with an overwhelmingly negative response to its functionality, according to the "Customers say" section. Issues raised among the 4-star reviews were build quality and cleaning the filter, while customers who gave it 1 star were unhappy that it broke not long after purchase. Others had issues with leaks, and one shopper said that although they got used to their coffee never tasting quite as they wanted, it, "needed vinegar cleaning every three weeks."

If you're looking for a splash of color in your kitchen and you're on a budget, the $27.99 Mixpresso Personal Single Serve Coffee Maker is just the job. It comes in vibrant red, purple, and green, but for $2 less, you can stick with classic black. Mixpresso has included an easy-grip travel mug, and simply sliding it into place and pushing one button sets the coffee making in motion. More than 10,000 have been rated, with 81% of reviews at 4 or 5 stars.

Some of the four-star comments highlighted the build quality of the coffee maker, but noted it was easy to clean. One customer pointed out, after two years of daily use, it was "still trucking like champ." Among the 5-star reviews, buyers praised how quickly it brewed their coffee, and how hot it was served. "It's perfect for a person that wants just one cup," wrote one shopper, while another, posting in 2025, said theirs had been "going strong" for over three years.

It's rare to see a product on Amazon that has less than a 4-star overall rating after more than 3,000 purchases, but the $189.95 Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Maker has that dubious accolade. It certainly has some bells and whistles, including a 48-ounce removable water tank with an easy-view window and charcoal filter, and a conical burr mill to automatically grind your raw or roasted coffee beans.

None of that made up for a hugely negative response to water leakage, according to the "Customers say" section. There were also doubts about brew size and build quality, as well as messy grinding, resulting in 42% of reviews between one and four stars.

Some buyers were disappointed by coffee strength (they should try these tips for their leftovers) but willing to overlook the mess. The same could not be said for one-star reviewers. As well as complaining about leaks, one shopper said, "This machine is a TOTAL MESS." Others failed to work or broke after a short time, and any replacements did the same.

More than 106,600 people have snapped up Keurig's K-Classic Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker which, at the time of writing, was only available in black, as opposed to the magnificent rhubarb. Color aside, it has a heft 48-ounce water tank, an auto-off that kicks in after two hours, user-friendly button controls, and the ability to accommodate 6, 8, and 10-ounce cups.

An impressive 91% of customers rated the Keurig K-Classic 4 or 5 stars, despite some people having issues with build quality and functionality. Many people bought it to replace older machines, and praised its ease of use and cleaning. One delighted buyer wrote, "For years I had wondered if this was a good idea. Now, I will never go back to grinding the beans and brewing." Another, who bought the rhubarb-colored version, described it as "stunning."